From the towering, golden Shwedagon Pagoda and giant reclining Buddha of Yangon to the ancient temples of Bagan, Burma has an abundance of pagodas, stupas, monasteries and monuments to behold. But its real charm lies in its people, the friendliest you could meet. Village life can best be witnessed along the banks of the mighty Irrawaddy, where you can also witness floating bamboo houses on rafts and boats laden with teak logs, sand, rice and more, while cities like Yangon and Mandalay are home to bustling markets. Burma is a must-see treasure, and is fast becoming the hot place to visit!
KEY FACTS BEFORE YOU GO:
Capital:
Naypyitaw
Currency:
Burmese kyat
Time Difference:
Burma is 5.5 hours AHEAD of BST, and 6.5 hours AHEAD of GMT. Burma maintains the same time throughout the year as it is does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
Flight time:
You cannot fly direct to Burma, but there are many different connections available, depending on the airline you are flying with, such as via Doha, Dubai, or Bangkok. Flights take 13 hours and 25 minutes to Yangon, or 14 hours and 20 minutes to Mandalay.
Official language:
Burmese
Entry requirements:
A visa is required before you travel, and you will need to apply at the nearest Myanmar Embassy or Consulate well in advance, or apply online. For more information about entry requirements, contact the Myanmar Embassy. Your passport must have a minimum of six months' validity from date of entry.
Vaccinations and Health:
You should always ensure that you travel with adequate travel health insurance. For up-to-date information, please check this website (as recommended by the Foreign Office): https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/156/burma-myanmar#Vaccine_recommendations. If vaccinations are required, it is generally advisable to arrange an appointment with a health professional four to six weeks before departure.
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, visit FCO Travel Aware website
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